I think that the email appeal on CNN about Eddie Steeples is bogus. I looked at it again, and the email address of the appeal is the same as someone that comments here on the Rubberband Man commercials and I can't imagine that the commenter knows Eddie Steeples personally.
Plus, I haven't heard any other information about Eddie Steeples being in Thailand at the time of the tsunamis, and I haven't seen any other information on any other news sources. So I have no choice but to declare shenanigans.
If indeed he's missing, then I'm very sad. But if this was just a hoax, then I feel that the person who submitted the appeal to CNN should be very ashamed of themselves. A lot of people died tragically in that accident, and to add use a forum where people are desperately seeking loved ones to get a chuckle is just depraved.
UPDATE:
I received a note from reader Barbara and an email from the director of Marketing of Office Maxx and Eddie Steeples was indeed in Thailand at the time of the tsunami, but he is fine and well, and his family has spoken with him several times.
I wanted to pass that along, and take a moment to apologize to the unnamed reader on my website that I accused of posting a bogus appeal. If I offended you, I'm very sorry. It was not my intention. Thank you for bringing it to our attention, and I appreciate you being a reader.
Thanks...
I just got this e-mail from Eddie Steeple's colleague at mo-freek.com, Kevin Ford:
"Barbara, Eddie has been found and thankfully he was out of harm's way when the tsunami occurred. He was in Indonesia trying to get home the
last we heard from him.
Thanks for your concern, and let's hope he gets home okay!!!!!!"
Kevin Ford
I just received this email response from William Bonner, media relations contact at Office Max: "Please rest assured. While we have no details, we have been in contact with Mr. Steeple's agent and have confirmed that he is safe and is returning to the US. Thank you for your concern and contact."
A new Rubberband Man commercial started airing yesterday--very cute, about RBM's hunt for his lost rubberband ball.
i have read the reports of Eddie Steeples being missing in Thailand and am very disturbed by his claims that he was ill and food was scarce. we were with Eddie when the Tsunami hit and recall him running back to his air conditioned bungalow with his companion which was nowhere near the beach to retrieve all of his dry unharmed belongings. after this we recall seeing him sitting in the only restaurant on the island that was serving food, watching BBC World before returning to his new bungalow that was higher up on the hill with warm water and a comfy bed. As my friend and I were struggling with what was left of our belongings, we were assured by Mr. Rubberband man that we would have a place to stay if we needed it and that he would help us carry our backpacks up the long hill...We never saw him again. Thanks Rubberband man, glad you bounced back!
I saw Eddie Steeples' appearance on the Late Late Show, and to his credit, he seemed to be very honest about his experience with the tsunami--said he never thought his life was danger, never even saw the ocean during the wave, and was able to recover his property without problem. In fact, he seemed very low-key and shy on the show, almost as if he was reluctant to share his experiences. Maybe his agent or PR people are trying to make more of this than they should, but he doesn't really seem to be into it.
I love the Rubberband Man! When I saw him on the Late Late Show I thought that it seemed like he was just trying to set the record straight...it seemed like everyone had blown everything out of proportion and he was just saying "hey, I was there but didn't feel in danger...sorry it is not more exciting but it is the truth" I love that he said that! Some other actors use every opportunity to blow their stories out of proportion so that they are "hit news" like Corey Feldman with the whole Michael Jackson thing, but Eddie was honest about his story and I give him props! Way to go Rubberband Man! I am glad you didn't try to cash in on the experience and make it seem worse than it was.